Netanyahu: Iran deal could 'change history'

On NBC’s “Meet the Press,” he said diplomats have hinted that a final deal would remove most sanctions targeting Iran, but allow its government to keep most of its nuclear capabilities.

“I hope it wouldn’t come to pass,” he said. “This would change history. It would be a monumental mistake.”

A “good deal” would be similar to what the U.S. helped negotiate for Syria’s chemical weapons last year, Netanyahu said.

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That agreement, which was initiated by Russia and helped alleviate the threat of a U.S. military strike on Syria, has removed the bulk of Syria’s chemical weapons stockpiles.

World powers and Iran are slated to resume nuclear talks on July 2. They are aiming to strike a deal by July 20. Obama administration officials have refrained from saying what would happen if the deadline is not met.

Netanyahu, meanwhile, warned that the current situation in Iraq could potentially strengthen Iran.

“Iran could come out with nuclear weapons capabilities. That would be a tragic mistake. It would make everything else pale in comparison,” he said.

Iran has reportedly sent some members of its Revolutionary Guard to Iraq. Last week, U.S. diplomats discussed the situation in Iraq with their Iranian counterparts on the margins of nuclear negotiations.